Melbourne | FindPenguins

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Trip start
January 12, 2025
Melbourne Traveler
Day 1 Arrival
January 12, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Up very early for 6am flight. Mary-Anne had stayed overnight. Ben took us to airport at 3.45am.

Good flight to Melbourne and the 4 of us met up before and after flight. Got Uber to St Kilda to Dave & Kellie's accommodation.
We walked around St Kilda shops area eying up all the cake shops. There are about 6 of them in 100m. We had lunch at Beatles themed cafe called Abbey Rd. There was a torrential thunderstorm and downpour so we ubered to Pickup our suitcases from Dave's and dry off ( just getting in/ out cab were drenched) then onto MAs and my Air bnb.
We met later for dinner at Mexican restaurant, following an afternoon nap and supermarket shop for breakfast food and snacksRead more
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Melbourne Traveler
St Kilda day 2
January 13, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Today I did my own thing while others went to tennis.
We only have one key for appt so we have to work logistics each day if not together.
I waited for others to arrive at 10am then they headed to nearby tram station while I explored on foot.
I visited the St Kilda Botanical gardens (not large), then onto Elwood, the next beach south of St Kilda. Found an amazing coastal pathway which I followed to Elwood beach. Then headed inland couple blocks through suburb to shopping area to buy lunch.

Returned to coastal path as had sea breeze and was so lovely. Followed it all the way to the 2 St Kilda piers. There were lots people walking, cycling, running along path, and after lunch lots people sunbathing at Elwood and heaps sunbathing St Kilda beach and pier.
I passed the marina and an outdoor concert venue and botanic gardens had outdoor cinema venue. All setup for lots of outdoor life here.
Amazing views from pathway. A large yacht regatta out to sea and views of Melbourne city skyline all the way back heading north.
St Kilda pier area very busy with lots young people (students?) sunbaking. Also some construction of another parallel pier. There was also a small ferry dock on side pier. Walked to end of each side branch of pier then back.
It was quite hot by now, and had delicious icecream with race to eat it before melted. Head to shopping street and looked at some shops, made a few purchases, then back to apartment for rest. Did over 20,000 steps today, but great day.
Others arrived back from tennis about 7.30pm and we got yummy pizza nearby.Read more
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Melbourne Traveler
St Kilda day 3
January 14, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
A more leisurely day today with only a half day outing. Lovely weather, about 25, sunny, windy at beach.
I had a quick trip to nearby Aldi store in morning (5 min walk) to get more toilet paper. The bnb didn't supply us with enough.
I then spent time writing this blog for last 2 days and chatting with MA.
Others arrived about 12pm and we ubered to Brighton, a beach suburb just past Elwood. We first had lunch at great Cafe right on the beach. It was a very busy popular place with great food.
The beach looked like the golden sand was put there, suspect trucked in. At far end of beach I could see other sand underneath. They also have sandbags buried in sand, which stabilizes area in front of bathing boxes, some were exposed.
After lunch we wandered along the beach past all the colourful bathing boxes which is what this beach is reknown for. Apparently very high tides flow under the boxes, they are raised slightly. They all looked recently painted, except 1 or 2.
We then walked to nearby shopping street (15min) for a look then got Uber back to apartment.
We had leftover pizza from last night for tea.

Observations of Melbourne so far.
Lots of young people about, but maybe because they like beaches which is where I've mainly been and holiday time.
Haven't seen any vaping, but a few cigarettes.
All the uber drivers are immigrants, but prob same as anywhere. Never had to wait longer than 5 mins for an Uber, a great easy way to travel for gp of 4.
A nice relaxed vibe by beaches.
Birds - seen plenty of seagulls, pigeons, myna birds, a few crows.
A few pesky wee Aussie flies.Read more
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Melbourne Traveler
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Day 4 Tennis
January 16, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Today was a day at the Australian Open tennis. A great day.
The others came to our apartment which is a 5min walk to tram stop to take you directly into city.
It unexpectedly started raining and thunderstorm about 9am, when rain not forecast until afternoon.
We decided to get an uber instead of tram, so we could be dropped off closer to venue.
All the major sport stadiums are close together - football, cricket and tennis.
The tennis complex is amazing. A large area with the covered stadiums, outdoor courts (small stadiums themselves without a roof), seating areas outside with screens to watch tennis, beanbags, chairs, tables, many different food areas, shops selling AO merchandise and sports clothing of sponsors, bars, and plenty of toilets.
It was a bit of a wow.
It had stopped raining when we got there so had wee look around and visited shop where I bought AO t-shirt.
We had tickets for Margaret Court Arena, one of the 3 covered stadiums. The roof was open most of day except when it rained again later about 4pm.
Our seats were excellent, 6 rows from front at end of court. We watched 3 matches. First women's singles won by Jessica Pegula, then men's singles with Carlos Alcaraz who was amazing. These 2 matches were over quite quickly and won in straight sets. We got lunch in between. Next was men's doubles which had 2 Australian players so crowd was very biased, so I cheered for the French team. The stadium was only full for Alcaraz match, no. 3 seed.
There is strict security for each court. There are many entrances each staffed with a rope across and can't enter except during changes of ends and after ticket check.
We tried to go to outdoor court but timed it when play suspended for rain.
We got tram back to St Kilda and had Thai takeaway for tea.Read more
Traveler Twins…
1/16/25Reply
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Melbourne Traveler
Day 5 Vic markets and show
January 16, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
We got up and packed and we both left St Kilda apartment at 10am. MA got Uber to airport and I got tram to city and Flinders station. I walked the 20mins to hotel and stored my suitcase.

I then walked to Victoria Markets, a large undercover market with oodles of stalls. I walked down every aisle but all I bought was a lamb pie for lunch. Every 2nd stall selling tshirts.
After lunch I looked at the deli, fish and meat markets next door. Some really nice goods here.
Walked back to hotel via Coles to buy Gary his crackers you can't get in NZ. I also looked round the mall Coles was in which was like Dressmart. I bought a pink top for work.
I then checked in and had wee rest.
Hotel room is small but good for one. Very firm comfy bed, Air conditioning, looks newly renovated with nice but small bathroom.
After rest I wandered down to the river and did a wee loop over 1 bridge and back on another.
Had dinner in pub across the road, the famous Chicken Parmigiano dish Aussies love. Then onto the theatre, to see Sister Act. Theatre was bigger than ours. I had pre-booked ticket a while ago.
Very good show, would have been better if tall man not sitting in front of me. My seat was 7 rows from stage but on flat floor, the tiering starts further back. Excellent singing. A good night out. Walked back to hotel, about 20mins, felt very safe with lots people around.Read more
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Melbourne Traveler
Gallery extra
January 17, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Post to include more photos from second part of day.
The first photos are in a park adjacent to the gardens, across the road from gallery.
There was a popular ticketed exhibition by Japanese artist on, which I didn't attend. The dotty things are her work, to advertise the exhibition.Read more
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Melbourne Traveler
Day 6 Gardens and Gallery
January 17, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Another great day with lots of walking.
My hotel room includes breakfast so had that here and chatted to lovely lady from London who used company Trailfinders for custom tour. Must look them up, sounded good deal.

I walked to the Royal Botanic Gardens. There is a wonderful wide paved pedestrian walkway along the southbank which I followed. Lots of people walking to tennis. Also a Uni rowing regatta on river.
I got a map of gardens and over about 3 hours walked almost every path exploring the gardens. It is on a slight hill so some gradual ups and downs. Sat having break near the NZ section to feel at home. Great gardens with different areas from around world. Several lakes as well and wide asphalt paths, some smaller gravel paths.
Then I walked to the National Gallery of Victoria which was nearby.
First I had lunch in the cafe including delicious choc lamington.
The gallery had not just art but some furniture, designer clothing, ceramics, Egyptian classical pieces. Quite a variety. It was very busy.
My feet were quite sore so got a tram back most of way to hotel. Got back about 4pm and had rest before dinner in a different pub nearby. There are about 5 pubs within 5 min walk.
I had lovely salmon for dinner.

The weather has been great, early to mid 20s each day. Don't need top layer and not too hot to walk. Going to be hotter tomorrow.
Plan to do the laneways and maybe Docklands area and tram circuit if too hot.Read more
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Melbourne Traveler
Day 7 Lanes & Tram
January 18, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
I had breakfast with same lady as yesterday in the hotel. Then packed my bags and stored 2 at hotel.
I walked to the famous Lune Bakery. The best croissants in Melbourne I'm told. I queued for 30 mins (which is normal) and bought hot choc, plain croissant and a cinnamon scroll. Found a bench nearby in shade and had drink and croissant. I must admit the croissant was probably the best I've ever had so I get the hype. Hot chocolate was nothing special, not even marshmallows. Had the scroll later and it was yummy too.
Thought I better do one foody thing in Melbs.
I then walked around Central Melbourne shopping district checking out all the lanes and some shops. Found a street with all the outdoor shops and enjoyed poking around. Bought some gloves and folding sitting mat at shop called Backpacking Light. Great shop with knowledgeable staff. They even had Aarn packs Fiona!
It was quite hot today, 29deg so good to be in shops.
I then got on the circular tourist tram which does a circuit around the central district. All trams within this area are free. The tourist tram was an old one and only cooling was windows so when it stopped it was pretty warm. It was quite busy in the city, much busier than weekdays.
I got off near the hotel after doing a circuit and a bit.
I then collected my bags from hotel and did 5min walk to Southern Cross station to catch the Skybus to airport.

I've had a great week, highlight was the Australian Open experience. I'm told it was not a busy day there so that was good.
Melbourne is a nice city and I tried to a variety of things. I'm so lucky with the weather, that it was only low 20s most days.Read more
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Trip end
January 18, 2025